What changed
Cristiano Ronaldo has retired from Portugal duty at 41, ending a 23-year international career with world records of 146 goals and 234 caps. He will hand back the number seven shirt after winning Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Why it matters
Portugal is losing the player who has been its captain since 2008 and its defining presence since his debut in August 2003. The next squad announcement, on Friday, will make the change tangible as Portugal prepares to face Denmark at home and Wales away in the Nations League.
The timing gives the farewell an awkward edge. Ronaldo left camp in September after learning he would not start against Denmark and received a £215 fine from the Portuguese Football Federation. He did not mention that dispute directly in his farewell, but acknowledged the mistakes, defeats and nights when he could not give Portugal what it wanted.
The federation says it plans a tribute. Portugal has not yet announced who will take the regular captaincy or inherit the number seven shirt.
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